Income Tax Exemption for Veterans

You are eligible for a $6,000 exemption on your income tax return if you are a military Veteran who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States on or any time before the last day of the tax year. Your spouse (or civil union partner) is also eligible for an exemption if he/she is a Veteran who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances and you are filing a joint return. This exemption is in addition to any other exemptions you are entitled to claim and is available on both the resident and nonresident returns. You cannot claim this exemption for a domestic partner or for your dependents. This exemption can only be claimed by qualifying Veterans; it does not pass through to a surviving spouse.

Property Tax Exemption / Deduction for Veterans

If you are certified by the VA as a 100% permanent and total disabled veteran based on active-duty service, you may qualify for an annual property tax exemption. Disabled Veteran Exemption requires a 100 percent VA Certificate of Disability, DD-214 or equivalent, proof of ownership and legal residency. The exemption must be permanent and total. The property must be owned and occupied by the claimant and must be their legal residence in this state. An annual Veterans Property Tax Deduction up to $250 requires citizenship, state residency, active service in the U.S. Armed Forces during any of the 9 H O M E L E S S & T A X B E N E F I T S statutory periods listed on the DVSSE application form, honorable discharge, property ownership, and the timely completion of an application. If living, the Veteran must own the property in whole or in part to qualify for the deduction. Under certain conditions, surviving spouses may also qualify for the exemption or deduction if all criteria are met. The surviving spouse qualifies if all criteria are met. Eligibility for the deduction is established as of October 1 of the pretax year. The application can be filed at the local tax assessor’s office with appropriate documentation.

Fund for the Support of NJ Nonprofit Veterans Organizations

Fund for the Support of NJ Nonprofit Veterans Organizations The fund for the Support of NJ Nonprofit Veterans Organizations for the annual distribution of grants to private nonprofit veteran organizations for programs and services supporting New Jersey veterans.

New Jersey’s Governor “We Value Our Veterans Award” Valuing our Veterans: The New Governor’s “We Value Our Veterans” Award gives your municipality, business, or academic institution the opportunity to value and honor the sacrifice, patriotism, and bravery displayed by our men and women who have worn the military uniform. Your town, enterprise, or institution may already recognize Veterans in numerous ways. This award provides an additional avenue to honor New Jerseyans who have answered the call to arms in defense of American Values. Our Veterans’ service represent an important part of New Jersey Heritage, and receiving this award will serve as a conspicuous representation of your support of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. For more information, visit: https://www.nj.gov/military/community/awardgrant-charitable-programs/wvov/

Homeless Veterans Grant Program This program’s purpose is to award grants to organizations that assist homeless veterans from Funds from the “Homeless Veterans Grant Fund”

New Jersey Civil Service for Pension Purposes

Veteran Status for pension purposes does not always meet the same criteria as Veteran’s preference for exam

Helmets To Hardhats

This program places men and women from the Armed Forces into building and construction careers.

Troops To Teachers

This program assists military personnel transitioning to a new career as a public-school teacher. A network of state offices provides participants assistance with certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads.

POW – MIA Tuition Benefit Program

Free undergraduate college tuition is available to any child born or adopted before, during, or after the period his or her parent was officially declared a prisoner of war (POW) or person missing in action (MIA) after January 1, 1960. The POW – MIA must have been a New Jersey resident at the time he or she entered the service, or whose official residence is in New Jersey

War Orphan Tuition Assistance

Children of those service personnel who die while in the military or due to service-connected disabilities, or who are officially listed as MIA by the U.S. Department of Defense may claim $500 per year for four years of college or equivalent training. To qualify, the Veteran must have been a state resident and the child must be a resident

Veterans Tuition Credit Program

Provides additional education benefits to Veterans eligible for “federally funded” education programs who served on active duty from December 31, 1960, to May 7, 1975 and were legal residents of New Jersey at the time of induction into the Armed Forces or for a period not less than one year prior to applying. The amount of the award is $400 annually or $200 per semester for full-time and for part-time $100 per semester.

New Jersey Catastrophic Entitlement

Eligible Veterans/surviving spouses receive a monthly entitlement of $62.50. Criteria: A Veteran must be a New Jersey resident in receipt of a permanent service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that resulted from wartime service resulting in one of the following catastrophic disabilities: loss of sight; amputation of both hands, both feet or one hand and one foot; hemiplegia and permanent paralysis of one leg and one arm on either side of the body; paraplegia and permanent paralysis of both legs and lower parts of the body; osteochondritis and permanent loss of use of both legs; multiple sclerosis and the loss of use of both feet or both legs; quadriplegia.

NEW JERSEY STATE SERVICE MEDALS

Criteria: Any New Jersey resident or former resident who was a resident of this State at the time of entry into active military service, or who has been a resident of this State for at least 20 years in the aggregate, honorably discharged and served in the organized militia, or in federal military service on active duty in a combat theater of operation during a time of war. Recipients whose service was recognized either by the award of a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, or equivalent will receive the NJDSM with a Silver

New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal (NJMSM) Criteria: Must be an honorably discharged Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States; and, was a resident upon entry into service, or if the veteran has been a resident of this State for a least five years in the aggregate. Posthumous awards are authorized. New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal (NJVSM) Criteria: Must meet the same criteria as the NJDSM. In addition, it requires military service in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, or the contiguous waters or airspace thereof on or after December 31, 1960 and on or before May 7, 1975. Posthumous awards are authorized.

New Jersey Korean Service Medal (NJKSM) Criteria: Must meet the same criteria as the NJDSM. In addition, it requires military service in Korea, Japan, or the contiguous waters or airspace thereof on or after June 23, 1950 and on or before January 31, 1955. Posthumous awards are authorized. New Jersey POW/MIA Service Medal (NJPOW/MIA) Criteria: Must meet the same criteria as the NJDSM and was officially listed as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the Department of Defense. Posthumous awards are authorized. Individuals applying for an award must forward a completed NJDMAVA Application for Award/Program form, or a similar request in writing along with a copy of the Service Member’s DD 214 form (Separation from Active Duty) verifying an Honorable Discharge. Eligible recipients may be presented the medals during an NJDMAVA medal ceremony.

New Jersey Desert Storm Service Medal (NJDSSM) Criteria: Must have been a resident of the State of New Jersey at time of entry into active duty or assigned to other service components of the U.S. Armed Forces. Must have served in theater from the period 1 August 1990 to 1 October 1991 and have been honorably discharged. Finally, the Kuwait Liberation Medal & Southwest Asia Service Medal must appear on the DD214.

New Jersey Global War on Terrorism Medal (NJGWOT) Criteria: Must have been a resident of this State upon entry into service or has been a resident for at least 20 years in the aggregate. Must have been awarded an honorable discharge and according to the Federal DD214 served in at least one of the following Operations: Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Nomad Shadow, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’ Sentinel, Odyssey Lightning. For more information on New Jersey State Service Medals,

New Jersey Transportation Program

This program assists Veterans in need of transportation. Free transportation is offered to VA medical centers and clinics, other hospitals, private physicians, VA Regional Office, and local Veteran Service Offices. Contact your local Veterans Service Officer to decide.

Hunting And Fishing Licenses

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will annually issue hunting and fishing licenses free to each qualified Disabled Veteran. New Jersey residents must be honorably discharged and declared by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability

Vehicle Registration

Certain Disabled Veterans may be entitled to exemptions from registration and plate fees

Veterans Designation

The Motor Vehicle Commission Issues Veteran designation on driver licenses and non-driver ID card

Disabled Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Placards

New Jersey Disabled Veterans and Purple Heart recipients are eligible for motor vehicle placards that exempt them from payment of municipal parking meter fees, for up to 24 hours. These placards are available at any Motor Vehicle Commission agency or by mail, and are subject to renewal/recertification every three years

NJDMAVA Veterans Service Offices (VSO)

Through our network of regional Veteran Service Offices, Veteran Service Officers provide the State’s more than 325,000 Veterans and their dependents with information and guidance in filing claims, assist with issues pertaining to employment, education, burial, counseling, housing, social and medical services, and other areas of concern to Veterans and their families. Please make every effort to use these valuable services.